Impact IP Toolkit and Founder Lessons

Spin-Out Club returned to the University of Bath on 18 September, opening the new term with founder stories, practical tools and plenty of shared experience about what it really takes to commercialise research.

The session was hosted by Pete Keevill, Entrepreneur in Residence at SETsquared Bath, and joined by fellow EIR Dr Becky Sage, who led the conversation on the new Impact IP toolkit.

Why Spin-Out Club exists

​Research staff and PhD students often have groundbreaking ideas with commercial potential but may not know which commercialisation path - licensing or spin-out company - would work best for them and, if spin-out is the preferred option, what it takes to build a successful spin-out company. 

Spin-Out Club exists to bridge that gap. It provides a space where experiences can be shared openly, questions can be asked without hesitation and a supportive community can take shape around the challenges of moving from research to business.

As Pete explained in opening the session, the aim is to create a place where researchers and entrepreneurs learn from one another and start to see commercialisation as a journey they do not have to take alone.

A founder’s perspective

We began with Giovanna Laudisiofrom Naturbeads (www.naturbeads.com) , whose company is working to replace microplastics with natural, biodegradable alternatives. Her journey did not start with a dramatic moment of inspiration but with a simple observation: there was a problem she could help solve.

“I’m a technical person. I saw a problem, I knew there was a solution, and I had the background to make it happen.”

Early on, demand from industry for very small sample quantities confirmed strong  interest in the idea. That response gave the confidence to apply for funding and move towards incorporation.

Her reflections carried three important messages:

• Focus on problems people care about. A strong product–market fit will take you further than any amount of early funding.

• Hold on to your motivation. The ups and downs of the journey need passion as well as expertise.

• Be clear about value. The decision to turn down an early investment on the wrong terms was difficult, but protected the company in the long run.

Making the process clearer with Impact IP

Dr Becky Sage introduced the Impact IP Deal Readiness Toolkit ( https://toolkit.setsquared.co.uk/home ), created by the SETsquared universities  to bring more clarity to spin out pathways.

The toolkit explains the  documents required to create a spin-out company: cap tables, business plans and shareholder agreements. It shows the stages of both licensing and spin out routes. For researchers, it offers a way to approach discussions with technology transfer teams and investors with more confidence and less jargon.

Shared learning from the discussion

Much of the value of Spin-Out Club comes from the conversation in the room. Today’s discussion surfaced a set of practical lessons:

• Know your role. Some academics want to become founders, others prefer to remain as originators. Both are valid paths and building the right team is key.

• Planning matters more than prediction. Business plans are not about getting the numbers exactly right. They show how you think, test assumptions and make decisions.

• Clarity builds trust. Simple, well-structured IP agreements and early legal advice avoid complications later.

• Flexibility helps. Secondments can give academics the space to lead a company while staying connected to their university role, creating stability for both sides.

Looking ahead

The next Spin-Out Club takes place on 15 October with a focus on bootstrapping. This session will look at how spin outs get things done before major investment arrives. Expect more practical advice, real examples and open discussion.

Spinning out is never straightforward, but it becomes easier when the journey is shared. Spin-Out Club is here to connect people, demystify the process and create a supportive space for academics who want to see their ideas make an impact in the world.

If you are a University of Bath colleague get in touch to find out more, email the team innovation-centre@bath.ac.uk